Spirochaete Research Labs LLC has filed a lawsuit against Alyvia LLC and its owner, Yumei Yu, alleging false advertising and deceptive practices related to their lead detection product.
The complaint states that Alyvia LLC’s product, AAwipes Lead Test Swabs, is marketed as containing sodium rhodizonate, a chemical known for reliably detecting lead in paint. Instead, the swabs allegedly contain Xylenol orange, which produces unreliable results and may fail to differentiate between lead and other metals. The lawsuit asserts that this misrepresentation poses a risk to public health and safety by potentially leaving users exposed to undetected lead.
According to the filing, these practices caused Spirochaete Research Labs substantial financial harm, including lost sales and reputational damage. The company claims that if Alyvia LLC had accurately represented its product, many of the disputed sales would have gone to Spirochaete Research Labs’ competing products. The lawsuit raises claims under the Lanham Act and New York state laws governing deceptive acts and false advertising.
The plaintiff seeks damages exceeding $1.5 million, an order requiring Alyvia LLC to provide a full accounting of sales related to the disputed products, and disgorgement of profits. The complaint also requests treble damages, attorney’s fees, and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The plaintiff is represented by attorney William Mark Mullineaux of Salmon Ricchezza Singer & Turchi LLP. The case was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York under Case No. 2:25-cv-05021 and is presided over by judges from the court.
Spirochaete Research Labs LLC has filed a compelling lawsuit against Alyvia LLC and its owner, Yumei Yu, accusing them of false advertising and other deceptive practices related to their lead detection product. The complaint was filed on September 8, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Spirochaete Research Labs alleges that Alyvia LLC's product, AAwipes Lead Test Swabs, is falsely advertised as containing sodium rhodizonate, a chemical known for reliably detecting lead in paint.
According to the lawsuit, Spirochaete Research Labs claims that instead of using sodium rhodizonate as advertised, Alyvia LLC's swabs contain Xylenol orange. This substitution allegedly leads to unreliable results, failing to accurately differentiate between lead and other metals. Spirochaete Research Labs contends that this misrepresentation poses a significant risk to public health and safety by potentially exposing users to undetected lead poisoning. "Those using Defendants’ Swabs are putting themselves and their children at risk of lead poisoning," the complaint asserts.
The plaintiff argues that these misleading practices have caused them substantial financial harm due to lost sales and damaged reputation. They claim that if Alyvia LLC had correctly labeled and advertised their product without making false representations, many sales would have gone to Spirochaete Research Labs' own product line instead. The lawsuit includes several claims under both federal and state laws, including false advertising under the Lanham Act and New York state law for deceptive acts.
Spirochaete Research Labs seeks various forms of relief from the court. They demand a judgment exceeding $1.5 million for damages incurred due to lost revenue and profits. Additionally, they request an order requiring Alyvia LLC to provide a full accounting of all sales related to the falsely advertised products and pay over any profits derived from such sales. The plaintiff also seeks treble damages, attorney fees, and any other relief deemed just by the court.
Spirochaete Research Labs is represented by William Mark Mullineaux of Salmon Ricchezza Singer & Turchi LLP. The case was filed in the Eastern District of New York under Case ID 2:25-cv-05021.